Luke Astley appointed as Academy Manager…
By Luke Thompson - 31/03/2022
Posted 2 years ago
Harriers are pleased to confirm Luke Astley as the club’s new Academy Manager.
No stranger to anyone at the club, Luke has been an integral part of the Academy as a lecturer and coach at a variety of levels of the club’s pathway including Junior Academy, Further Education and Higher Education since the Academy’s early years over a decade ago.
A UEFA A Licence qualified coach, he has also been Harriers’ U23s Head Coach since the start of the 2020/21 season, and moved into his new full-time role as Academy Manager earlier this month which will see him oversee the football side of all Harriers Academy programmes.
Playing his part in numerous Academy success stories on and off the pitch over the years, the club are delighted to see Luke continue to progress and see him as the perfect person to continue to drive the Academy forwards.
On his new role, Astley said “I’m delighted, to be honest. I’m looking forward to the months ahead and the planning for next season.
“Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve been in a lecturing role as a Sports Lecturer, and then I’ve done the football [coaching] as an additional [role].
“The time feels right to step out of that and put all of my attention to football now which is recruitment, planning sessions, and working with players on a more daily basis”.
On the aims he has for his new role, Astley recognises the importance of developing Academy players both on and off the field.
“We’re looking for the next one or two players that we can get through [to the first team] or get noticed, and we go from there,” said Astley.
“There are four lads that train with the first team on a weekly basis… so that’s obviously fantastic, and we’ve got lads that are doing really well in our juniors as well… our junior programme that we run is fantastic!
“Part of my job is also for those that don’t progress [to the first team], and whether that’s them progressing to step four or five clubs in the local area, or they go into full time employment in sport, that’s just as important”.
Head of Education, James Long, commented: “I am delighted to bring Luke on board as Academy Manager.
“Luke has a great understanding of the club, our values and most importantly understands all areas of our pathway from our U8s right the way through to First Team.
“He has the experience, passion and skill to really drive our academy forward, giving our young players their best shot at progressing towards first-team football.
“I have been nothing but thoroughly impressed in all dealings we as a club have had with Luke in his role as a lecturer and as our U23s Head Coach and I very much look forward to working with him on a full-time basis.”
Watch the full interview to hear Luke’s thoughts on the Academy programme, opportunities for progression and more by clicking play on the video below.
You can stay up to date with our Academy by following on @HarriersAcademy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
⚠️ 𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙍𝙄𝘼𝙇𝙎! ⚠️
📆 Monday 11th April
📚 Further Education (@KidderminstColl) – ages 16-19
🎓 Higher Education (@worcester_uni) – ages 18-23
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